6 Tips for Not Gaining Weight at College
Before the tips, a quip:
“It’s very important to have the right clothing to exercise in,” says Cheryl Tiegs. “If you throw on an old T-shirt or sweats, it’s not inspiring for your workout.”
If your exercise outfit matters to you, then by all means do what works! But don’t spend money on expensive exercise gear until you know for sure that you’ll stick with your fitness plan. My favorite exercise routine revolves around the 10 Minute Solutions DVDs (I rotate through four of my “regulars”). Click on the images for more info, and read on for my six tips for not gaining weight at college and avoiding the freshman 15…
6 Tips for Not Gaining Weight at College – How to Avoid the Freshman 15
1. Declutter your home and study area. There’s a connection between gaining weight and clutter (8 Tips for Decreasing Clutter and Reducing Debt contains info about how decluttering affects your money and eating habits). Clutter can act like a depressant, which decreases your energy to exercise, cook healthy meals, and get your coursework done.
2. Never eat while studying. It’s easy to scarf down an entire bag of cookies, candies, or potato chips with noticing if you have your head in the books! To not gain weight at college, try chewing sugarfree gum while you study. Floss and brush your teeth right after dinner; the fresh, clean feeling will help curb the desire to eat.
3. Study while walking. Take a few sheets of information that you have to memorize or learn for an exam, and go for a walk. Walk around the track, on a quiet path, or on the treadmill at the gym. This will help you avoid the freshman 15 and keep your brain oxygenated as you study!
4. Find healthy ways to deal with exam and course load stress. Stress will never go away, so the sooner you learn to deal with it, the better! Instead of eating because you’re scared, anxious, or stressed, learn effective ways to cope. Tips for Student Success at College discusses several ways to achieve your college goals.
5. Find a fitness program that you love. For the past six months, I’ve been doing Pilates and kickboxing four times a week, with the three DVDs pictured. I’ve never stuck with a workout routine this long or lost this much weight, and it’s just because I love the 10 Minute Solutions series! To avoid the freshman 15, find an exercise routine that suits your lifestyle and personality.
6. Stop procrastinating instead of studying. I use food to procrastinate when I don’t want to write, or if I’m anxious about a deadline or article assignment. To not gain weight at college, don’t use food as a diversion. Either find a healthier way to procrastinate (exercise, volunteering, cleaning the house, etc), or learn a few tips for ending procrastination for college students.
What have I missed with these tips for gaining weight at college and avoiding the freshman 15? I welcome your thoughts and questions below…
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